We have not yet resolved the AC problem in the sanctuary. This Sunday we will hold all three worship services in the Family Life Center. We are fortunate to have an alternative worship space. Come and chill out with us in the FLC!

Dr. Will Cotton will be preaching at 8:30 and 11 am
. Rev. David Johnson will be preaching at the 9:40 am service.

Please join us in worship this weekend...Sunday at 8:30, 9:40, or 11 am. Due to air conditioning problems, all services will be in the Family Life Center.

The United Methodist Men are selling chicken & cobblers

It's going to be too hot to cook on Sunday!

Let the United Methodist Men cook lunch for you. They will be selling their delicious smoked chicken and cobblers. Only $10 each!

Words from Will...

Ten Things I'm Excited About...

The great start of our Fall Season of Ministry last Sunday. Many of you shared with me how much that day meant to you.

The fabulous experiences for our youth on Mission Trips and Camp Eagle, and the deeper walk they now have with Christ and with each other.

The leadership of our Board of Trustees as they lead us in upgrading and restoring AC to our sanctuary. The report so far is that there is one fried compressor and some components, but that the chiller itself and other compressor are healthy. Funds from last years First Match Fund will allow for repairs once we get a more exact report on what is needed. Our goal is to be back in the sanctuary by September 9.

That 17 of our people are on their way to Panama, taking with them many suitcases of supplies and medications, along with $10K in donations for the orphanage there.

That 21 new members became part of First Church on August 12, with several of them sharing where they would like to be involved in ministry.

The fresh creativity and interaction on our staff as new and long-serving staff work together to serve our great congregation.

The final preparations for the roll-out of Vision 2025 and the powerful Spirit-led initiatives that enable us to follow in the great First Church tradition of doing whatever it takes to reach new people with the love of Christ. Set your calendars now for a lunch presentation of Vision 2025 on September 23!

The launch of the new Pastors' Study, a Sunday evening large-group Bible Study with a light meal for people of all ages and stages. We also celebrate that all DISCIPLE classes made for this fall season. We are thankful for the new students and the faithful and devoted folk who facilitate.

The many answered prayers in which people have experienced healing, breakthroughs in long-term challenges, and comfort in really difficult and tragic situations. Thanks for being a praying family.

That very soon all three pastors will be in place, bringing a rich variety of approaches, experiences and vibrant faith. But I'm even more excited about what this amazing congregation's people will bring to those pastors and to one another.

Of course, the list could have been much longer. But it's a good warm-up! See you Sunday in the Family Life Center for all services. The temperature will be cool but the warmth of the fellowship of God's people and the renewing presence of God's Spirit will be wonderful and inspiring. What a great opportunity for you to bring someone with you for an experience that could be life-changing.

Sincerely in Christ,

Dr. Will Cotton

Senior Pastor

Save the date...new Pastor's Bible Study coming soon!

Have you signed up yet? This is going to be a popular study!

Join us as all three of our pastors lead a new Bible study on Sunday evenings from 5:30-7:00 pm in the sanctuary and narthex. The gathering will include a light supper. The topic for the first study is
"A Fresh Approach to Revelation". This study will begin on Sunday, September 16. Registration is open now.

The study will coincide with our student ministry programming and child care will be available, so this is a new way for the whole family to be involved on Sunday evenings at First Church. Plus, it is a great way to get to know our pastors!

Through the
Church Mouse program, members of the congregation get the opportunity to be a small connection between a college student and their home church. Through prayer, cards and the occasional care package, adopted students get a reminder that someone here at First Church is thinking of them. It is a great way to do our part in combating this crazy statistic and loving on our young adults.

If you would like to be a Church Mouse and adopt a college student, look for us in the Courtyard on Sunday.

Children's Ministry

J-Team kickoff for children in grades 3-5 is on September 9 from 2 - 4 pm.

The kickoff event will be a drop-off event and we already have some parents planning our September meeting. Watch for details.

Parent meeting on August 26

We invite all parents of 3rd-5th graders to join us on August 26 at 11 am in Bldg. 5- 27 for a parent meeting. You will learn new information about our programming for this year and have the opportunity to sign up to host a meeting. Hope to see you there!

The Kids For Christ Council is a task force of parents interested in serving in the areas of children's programming along with the Children's Ministries Team. Its mission is to offer guidance and support for ministry to families with children ages birth through fifth grade. The council meets every other month. Each member of the council is invited to share opinions about Children's Ministry events and assist in planning and implementation.

The next KFC meeting will be Sunday, September 16 at 11:15 am in Bldg. 5-122. We invite new members to join our council and would like you to prayerfully consider participating in this important part of Children's Ministry. Please join us! We will be discussing Fall Festival at this particular meeting! Contact the church office at 512.255.3336, ext. 128 or children@fumc-rr.org. For more info...

Student Ministry

This Sunday! 8/26 IGNITE...Starts at 5:30 pm!

Sunday Night will start at 5:30 pm with with our normal $3 snack dinner. This year, both Middle School and High School are going to have dinner in Payne Cottage. At 6:00 pm, Middle School Students will go to Building 5 for games, worship and small groups. High School Students will be participating in a small group bonding activity that will be taking them to various places in the Round Rock area. Both groups will end at 7:30 pm.

Wednesday Women's Bible Study is back on September 5 with a new study by Lisa Harper, Believing Jesus. Click for details...

Tuesday Women's Bible Study starts on September 11 with a study of Stuck by Jennie Allen. Contact Denise Blomquist at mommystruck@gmail.com. Click for details...

DISCIPLE I - Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study

Wednesday mornings, 9:30 am - 12 noon

We have a few spaces left in the Disciple 1 class that begins on Wednesday, August 29.
Click here to register online. Registration will close on Monday. Questions: Contact Rae Frenette, rae@fumc-rr.org or 512.255.3336.

More from Adult Ministry...

The Wesleyan Way...a Faith that Matters. Current study for Paths to Postivie Living Sunday school class, 9:40 am, Bldg. 5-136. Click for details...

Worship Arts

It's time to sign up for Alleluia Chorus Children's Choir!

In the Alleluia Chorus our elementary students learn the skills of singing and music reading while they sing anthems of their own as well as join with the Choral Union in joint choral presentations. These early experiences create wonderful memories of joyful musical events linked with the worship of God-thus building the foundation for a walk with Christ.

Rehearsals: Sunday morning during the 11 am service. Children will join their parents in worship until just before the sermon (around 11:40 am) and then go to Bldg. 5-234 for rehearsal until 12:15 pm.

Youth Choir is open to all youth from 6th-12th grades, giving our students the opportunity to lead worship and minister to the body of Christ through the gift of music. The ensemble will sing a variety of musical styles during morning worship services every 4-6 weeks and at special events. Our first rehearsal will be on Sunday, September 9.

Rehearsals will be held in the South Suite from 4:30 - 5:30 pm on Sunday evenings, prior to Youth Group.

The mornings when we sing in worship, we will use the time between the Sanctuary services to rehearse, replacing that evenings' rehearsal.
All dates are in line with the Youth Ministry schedule.

If you'd like to be a part of this group or have questions, please contact Michael Rosensteel, Director of Music, michael@fumc-rr.org or 512.255.3336 ext. 140.

Saturday, September 8, 9:30 am - 12 noon at the First United Methodist Church, Round Rock
We will play scouting games, eat deep-fried Oreos, learn Dutch oven cooking, and work on some Webelos adventure requirements. Also, meet our adult leaders, tour the Troop facility, and check out various Troop equipment.

Boy Scout Troop 157, chartered to the First United Methodist Church in Round Rock, carries a long tradition of providing quality scouting programs for area youths since 1951. As part of the Chisholm Trail District, Troop 157 is active in the promotion and participation in various scouting events year round, such as summer and winter camps, District Camporees, Philmont, Cavalcade, Northern Tier, Sea Base, and many more. Our Troop stresses the importance of the outdoor experience with planned monthly campouts in the fall, winter and spring. Every campout includes a program geared towards the growth and personal development of our scouts. The Troop is youth-led, so scouts learn to develop leadership skills early on.

A Finance Snapshot...

Giving last week: $38,301.86

Year to date Revenue: $1,372,348.31

Year to date Expenses: $1,454,563.31

2018 Budget: $2,481,067.63

This week at First Church

Saturday, August 25

2:00 pm - Memorial Service for Rev. Jack Heacock followed by reception in Bldg. 3/FLC

Sunday, August 26 -UMM Chicken & Cobblers available between services

8:40 am - Life Group - Be Awesome, Bldg. 4-2

8:30, 9:40 and 11 am - Worship services

11:00 am - J-Team Parent's meeting, Bldg. 5-127

5:30 pm - Snack supper for Ignite, Bldg. 4, Payne Cottage

6:00 pm - Ignite Youth, High School in Bldg. 3/FLC, Middle School in Bldg. 5

There is always a lot going on at First Church. Visit the
website, find us on Facebook or Twitter, and check the Church Calendar so you don't miss out!

Blessings,

Betty Robertson

Communications

First United Methodist Church Round Rock

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